Replacing Rear Axle Seals in a Limited Slip System (89 2.9L Automatic 4x4)

[eightynine4x4]

I found this thread long ago but have been hesitant to do the project in fear of messing something up in the gears. I might just drop it off at the trusted shop here and accept the cost. I'd be hoping somewhere in the 250-300 mark. They charge 125/hour and they are good and i've got a great relationship with them.

rear axleshaft oil seal replacement-with photos.

Original Poster: Dave Bird (racsan) Difficulty: 5 out of 10 I guess it depends on your skill set, no need for fancy difficult stuff like you would need for a differential setup, if you can do your own brake work and fluid changes, chances are this will be pretty easy for you to deal with. Time...

www.therangerstation.com

I have a moderate leak in left seal that comes and goes. I keep tabs on it and put more fluid in as it needs it, and also park the truck so that it leans to the right which seems to keep it from leaking in left.
This is one of the last glaring issues remaining with the truck before i can say it's good for long hauls. After this i'll need to replace the rear left brake stuff since the fluid probably got on it.

Anybody do this job before? Would be great to get some advice or just have some folks to bounce things off of. The instructions are pretty thorough but it's tough to visually imagine some of the details and also since i have a limited slip i'm concerned about what i need to do differently. Last thing i want to do is fire it up to go for a test drive and ruin my truck!

 

[scotts90ranger]

The only difference between an open and limited slip axle as far as doing this is concerned is the S spring between the side spider gears which shouldn't be a huge deal, it can stay in if memory serves. There is no way of screwing up the gears just pulling the axle shafts.

 

[fastpakr]

Yep. It can be a messy (and STINKY) job, but it's not a complicated job.

 

[eightynine4x4]

Welp, guess i gotta do it then

 

[19Walt93]

If you're doing one seal, do the other one, too. Gear lube leaking onto the brakes will make them grab so thoroughly clean the shoes with brake clean or replace them. You can also use some brake clean to clean the oil off the housing so the new sealer will stick. I like Castle Shop Solv best, it's primarily alcohol and dries with no film. Cheap brake clean has acetone in it. I also like the gray Motorcraft silicone sealer best.

 

[Shran]

While you have it apart make sure that the old seal hasn't worn a groove into the axle shaft. It may not be an issue with the seal at all...rather that the seal is now too big. I have run into that little problem several times.